1985 Toyota Tercel problems
The Toyota Tercel (Japanese: トヨタ・ターセル, Toyota Tāseru) is a subcompact car manufactured by Toyota from 1978 until 1999 across five generations, in five body configurations sized between the Corolla and the Starlet. Manufactured at the Takaoka plant in Toyota City, Japan, and sharing its platform with the Cynos (aka Paseo) and the Starlet, the Tercel was marketed variously as the Toyota Corolla II (Japanese: トヨタ・カローラII, Toyota Karōra II) — sold at Toyota Japanese dealerships called Toyota Corolla Stores — and was replaced by the Platz in 1999. It was also known as the Toyota Corsa (Japanese: トヨタ・コルサ, Toyota Korusa) and sold at Toyopet Store locations. Starting with the second generation, the Tercel dealership network was changed to Vista Store, as its badge engineered sibling, the Corolla II, was exclusive to Corolla Store locations.
The Tercel was the first front-wheel drive vehicle produced by Toyota, although it was the only front-wheel drive Toyota to have a longitudinally mounted engine. For example, the E80 series Corolla's frame (except AE85 and AE86) is similar to the L20 series Tercel's frame. Also, Toyota designed the A series engine for the Tercel, attempting simultaneously to achieve good fuel economy and performance and low emissions. Choice of body styles increased as well, with the addition of a four-door sedan.
The name "Tercel" was derived from the Latin word for "one third", with "tiercel" referring to a male falcon which is one-third smaller than its female counterpart. Similarly, the Tercel was slightly smaller than the Corolla. The early Tercels have a logo on the trunk with a stylized falcon as the T in Tercel. All Tercels were assembled at the Takaoka factory in Toyota City, Aichi or by Hino Motors in Hamura, Tokyo. Hino assembled the third generation Tercel from 1986 to 1990 for the two-door and some three-door models. When Japanese production of the Tercel/Corsa/Corolla II (and the related Cynos/Paseo coupés) came to an end in 1999, 4,968,935 examples had been built.
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Common 1985 Toyota Tercel problems
Common Problems with the Toyota Tercel 1985:
- Transmission Problems: The automatic transmission on the 1985 Toyota Tercel may not shift correctly at high mileages. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, including worn-out transmission parts or a lack of regular maintenance.
- Fuel System Issues: The fuel system on the 1985 Toyota Tercel can also be problematic. Some owners have reported issues with the fuel lines being gummed up, which can prevent the car from receiving enough fuel to start or stay running.
- Safety Concerns: While the 1985 Toyota Tercel may look safe with its big bumpers, it is not as safe as a modern car in a high-speed collision. The car's design and age make it little safer than a motorcycle in a crash, and investing money in the car may not be worth it due to its age and lack of available parts.
In summary, the 1985 Toyota Tercel has several common problems, including engine issues, brake system problems, transmission problems, fuel system issues, and safety concerns. These issues can be costly to repair and may make the car unreliable or unsafe to drive. If you own a 1985 Toyota Tercel, it is essential to stay on top of regular maintenance and address any issues promptly to ensure the car's safety and reliability.
Are Toyota Tercels reliable?
This is a good car. It will run forever, won't cost much to insure or operate, and is put together with the precision of a Swiss watch. Unfortunately, fit, finish and reliability don't come for free, and the Tercel is pushing the boundaries of acceptable pricing.
How much is a 1985 Toyota Tercel worth?
The Toyota Tercel 1985 prices range from $2,640 for the basic trim level Wagon Tercel DLX (4X4) to. The Toyota Tercel 1985 comes in Wagon.
Why did Toyota discontinue the Tercel?
Thanks to the front-wheel drive configuration, the Tercel offered so much interior space, despite the compact size. After its two-decade-long run. Toyota axed the Tercel in 1999 in the U.S., in order to make room for the 2000 Echo. Today, there really aren't many Tercels left in the United States.
How much horsepower does a 1985 Toyota Tercel have?
63 hp
North American Tercels were all fitted with the 1.5-litre engine, producing 63 hp (47 kW) at 4,800 rpm. In Europe, both the 1.3 and the 1.5 litres were available. As with the earlier generation, engine and transmission were still mounted longitudinally, and the arrangements were the same.
Are Toyota Tercels reliable?
This is a good car. It will run forever, won't cost much to insure or operate, and is put together with the precision of a Swiss watch. Unfortunately, fit, finish and reliability don't come for free, and the Tercel is pushing the boundaries of acceptable pricing.
How much is a 1985 Toyota Tercel worth?
The Toyota Tercel 1985 prices range from $2,640 for the basic trim level Wagon Tercel DLX (4X4) to. The Toyota Tercel 1985 comes in Wagon.
Why did Toyota discontinue the Tercel?
Thanks to the front-wheel drive configuration, the Tercel offered so much interior space, despite the compact size. After its two-decade-long run. Toyota axed the Tercel in 1999 in the U.S., in order to make room for the 2000 Echo. Today, there really aren't many Tercels left in the United States.
How much horsepower does a 1985 Toyota Tercel have?
63 hp
North American Tercels were all fitted with the 1.5-litre engine, producing 63 hp (47 kW) at 4,800 rpm. In Europe, both the 1.3 and the 1.5 litres were available. As with the earlier generation, engine and transmission were still mounted longitudinally, and the arrangements were the same.
1985 Toyota Tercel car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Tercel problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Tires problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Toyota Tercel vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1985 Toyota Tercel complaints
The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Toyota Tercel.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-04-04
- VIN: JT2AL32G3F0
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: THE TIRES WERE NEARLY BALD AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF USE, ONE TIRE WENT FLAT (FIRESTONE SUPREME 155/80R-13) .
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-04-04
- VIN: JT2AL32G3F0
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: THE TIRES WERE NEARLY BALD AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OF USE, ONE TIRE WENT FLAT (FIRESTONE SUPREME 155/80R-13) .
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-08-11
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND VEHICLE WILLNOT START UP. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN BRAKE HANDLE DOWN. OWNER'S MANUAL DOESN'T SAY SO, BUT THE LIGHT IS ALSO OPERATED BY LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL. NOT KNOWING THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER.
1985 Toyota Tercel recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1985 Toyota Tercel.
- Manufacturer: FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
- Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
- Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1985 Toyota Tercel problems:
85 Toyota Tercel won't turn over - Tercel4WD.com
Feb 10, 2018 ... Secondly, think there's a bit of a problem with your description- "turns over" and "cranks" are virtually the same in car-speak. I think your ...
1985 Toyota Tercel Reviews - Carsurvey.org
May 14, 2015 ... Steering rack replacement (oil leakage). Valve stem seals changed due to age and wear (oil use and smoking). Changed oil seals on axles' output ...
Ignition problem - Tercel4WD.com
Jul 14, 2017 ... '84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods) '92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver) '85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
Toyota Tercel Problems and Complaints - 27 Issues
Top Toyota Tercel Problems · Automatic Transmission May Not Shift Correctly at High Mileages · Failed Emissions Test Due to Blocked EGR System · Vehicle Won't ...
1985 Toyota Tercel Wagon - Maintenance/Repairs - Car Talk ...
Mar 14, 2014 ... I am aware that a common problem with the 4T65-E transmission can be the Pressure Control Solenoid and also the Transmission Pass Through ...
Other years of Toyota Tercel
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